i am not sure if this helped or not but i ask adam questions all day long, it keeps him answering rather then asking :) he actually can hold a conversation to a certain extent.

Bump, need help!! Thanks

Ms P is right. I read in Temple Gradin's books about that Mr. Roboto thing as our kids work like a phrase player, in a sense. One thing I remember in the forward of I think Emergence, Labled Autistic, Thr comment how Temple has continued to develop her speaking skills well into adulthood. KEEP TALKING and engaging in conversation. It will come eventually!

visual cues.

My son at home never used them but then he would do the same. "ask questions repeatably"

so i grabbed markers and made a calendar and a check mark checker to know that the toy he wants is for Christmas not now.

many times they don't understand concept of time and days or confused so they ask. my son was like that and still is at moments but they pick up and start conversations

Hi, know you got my pm, but this is for the others too :)

This is a bit tough, because with autism it is a very scripted thing and really he just knows when he needs something and thats what it is like for him. But here are a few tips...find what he likes, and you yourself engage with him which should in turn, after some time, have him engaging more with you. Also, sign language, child sign, is a great engager and promotes speech and interaction! Here is a site, you click on some of the words, and then there is a video of the sign. IT is... http://www.aslpro.com/cgi-bin/aslp...

Kris

You may want to try getting your son involved in a social skills group. I suggest you do your research and make sure it's a group that will inspire some natural conversation. My son was involved in a group that met once a week for 1 1/2 hours and I really noticed him communicating more and appearing to be more comfortable with communication. Of course, as others have said, it is imperative that you make a concerted effort to encourage conversation. Rewarding him when he asks for example "how was your day?" even if you had to tell him to ask it and then moving in the direction of using less and less prompting and just rewarding the good responses. It's not easy, but if you're consistent it can work. Also, try starting up conversations about things that your son enjoys. See if you can engage him and then draw him into other directions...again with prompts and rewards, etc... I hope some of this helps. It is challenging and frustrating sometimes. My son has been in several social skills groups. They don't all help. But the one I mentioned made a noticeable difference. Just keep on talking and encouraging a response and a conversation.

OK, HERE GOES:
( momma says) Alex wants___
( Alex finishes) Cereal, the brown ones, crunch momma, please! LOOK AT HOW MANY MORE WORD HE STARTED USING WITH A SHORT VERBAL PROMPT!!!!!! I love to engage in this type of conversation! I can tell he is thinking, expressing, responding!

Denise,
you know Steven is one or two word sentences and most are prompted. We still do the promoting "I want"
I would love this..
"how was your day?"
Steven:
It was great mom!
:)
We use a picture board for the daily activites from school. We communicate with that, Oh you went to gym?
he will say Gym,
Sorry i can not totally relate to the RoBoto, But far as Im concered any words are music:)

I'm in the exact same boat right now. Same language. I just keep asking him the same questions everyday like, "so, tell me about school", or "how was school?" or "what did you do at school today?" Some days he will give one answer, others will give be a bunch separated by "and" Some days, he'll notice I havent asked and will just say, "school's good, playdoh and beads, and computer and paint and..." SO just keep plugging away - Good Luck. If you come up with any other ideas pass them my way! :)

Hey Sharon I hope I didn't offend you. And I am so grateful for his language. What I meant by Mr. Roboto is that it is very ABA sounding is all. I can't describe it very pronounced is how I would best describe it. Not spontanious is what I guess I mean. Denise

oh my gosh no offense at all!
I love ya!!!
Just was saying its always music to my ears :)
well... unless its the yippity skippity vocal stims LOL

Hey Denise,
I went through this with Jordan when he started developing verbal skills (about age 6 or 7). We did a lot of games that involved talking, not just dice and counters. Started with things like I spy and 20 questions, and Guess Who, he now loves strategic games like Settlers of Catan (if anyone is familiar with the game). The structure of the game gives them a secure framework to work with, while requiring them to put a string of words together to achieve a goal of some sort.
Helen

I think the best thing for Oli is the inclusion with very talkative kids his own age. He seems to understand more in general and he knows that he can use words instead of screams and grunts.

There are books to help at home, OT is great (OUT of school) and speech/language therapy...if you have an autism center (like TEACCH) contact them. Social stories (look up on net, they helped a lot here).........
I've been there, done that. But don't force your son to speak as it may cause regression. I use a mix of sign (Lil gets very upset very easy, so in public in front of friends, I sign and she gets it), anyway, once the pressure was off her TO speak (I spoke when I signed then, when she was selective mute), and in several months, she spoke and w/language therapy, we're doing great now.
Good luck and don't give up!
Schools drove us all in regression, lol, and I pulled my two hfa's out and homeschool them now, even with my MS. I'll never regret it personally as we've made tons of progress quickly.
It's not for everyone, but I love it.
Blessings,
SusanNC